Wednesday, July 06, 2011

Invitation to Improvise

I was fortunate enough to meet the lovely Alissa Haight Carlton at Quilt Market only weeks ago, and the feeling you get from her is just the feeling that I get from her new book, Block Party, which was written together with Kristen Lejnieks. And that feeling is one of approachability and warmth. After talking to her for a only a bit, I wanted to sit next to her and sew. The book, after reading a few pages, makes you feel just the same way. You just feel invited. Not in the fancy invitation that comes in the mail and requires a new dress kind of invitation, but a hey, come over here and join us kind of invitation. The best kind.

The book covers 12 women who formed a modern quilting bee so that each would contribute a block to one person's quilt concept each month. All the blocks would be sent to that one person, and she would get to assemble the quilt and keep it. By the end of the year all twelve of them had done the same, each keeping a piece of history and the work of 12 minds, 24 hands. I love thinking of how every block in every quilt was created during a completely separate set of circumstances within each quilter's life. And that they each, doubtlessly, struggled more with one block than another, experienced successes and emotions that they wouldn't have otherwise had. Some days I imagine that making the block was the most peaceful part of their day- I'm sure other days, they forgot to get to it all together, and stressed a bit to finish it. Each one different. Each one a record of time. Each one perfecting a skill they already possessed or pushing them into a new one. And all together the quilt then, an expression of many. I do believe that is the heart and soul of quilting.

I took note of my dear friend Denyse's introduction to the book, most specifically where she writes that "the best way to learn something (to understand it viscerally and not just intellectually) is to make it happen with your own hands." That, in addition to all the wonderful inspiration, and perfectly clear instructions is what had me chopping up my Liberty stack faster than you can say bee (which doesn't take long at all). I was so inspired by the Confetti quilt because it felt most different from what I typically do. More improvisational. I see a lot of quilts. Lots and lots. And the moment I see them I either get it and move on, or I get it and I want to try it. Or better still, I get it, want to try, and even meditate for a while on how I might interpret it to see it anew. So here I am, improvising within the boundaries of this lovely Confetti block. Instead of using all white for the solid background, I decided to show off all the irregular strip widths by using 3 solids from my voiles (sixpence, midnight, river rock). And because I can't leave well enough alone, in addition to the 3 background solids, I decided to interject one of my own prints. The good for me thing, in addition to it being a scrap + solid style block, is that its perfect for special fabrics that you'd like to use a bit sparingly.

So after only messing around for about an hour or so this morning, I am finding myself entirely charmed with this process, remembering how much I love to wing it, and loving how this one little block is a microcosm of the quilt it will become. And even each component of the block, its own abstract composition- beautiful and unique. I've decided that I need a little tiny bit of this freedom on a regular basis, so I think I'll do one every Saturday morning. We'll see how that goes. I'm glad to have the company of these talented women every time I open this book.

Would you like to open this book? I get to give one away! Leave me any ole comment and we'll get a name chosen at random on Monday of next week. For more wonderful write-ups about this book, follow along on the blog tour:

480 comments:

This was one of the more insightful looks into a book that I've seen! I wasn't sure I needed this book on my sewing shelves, especially since I'm not much of an improv quilter myself. After reading your experience with this book and your interactions with the authors, I am more compelled now to get this book and actually try some of the projects. Thanks for that push I needed! (love seeing the spin you'r putting on a project, btw)

Love your approach to all things quilty. The idea of loosening up with my quilting is ever so surely making inroads into my thoughts. I'd love to win the book and really break out of my structured style. Anne

Your block looks great. I spent Monday cutting into my Loulouthi stash and most of last night sewing it up. I hope to finish the quilt top tonight but I haven't had enough quality time with the fabric yet. I'm going to have to come up with another quilt to make from it. yeah!

Improvisational quilting is something I have recently had the joy of trying too- wow, what liberating fun! I can't believe how much stress is taken away from quilting when you purposefully don't try matching seems or making things perfect- I have realized that I love both traditional and modern quilting and will make room for both in my little world as long as I am having fun. I sure would love to win this book!

Thank you for the chance to win such an amazing book! I would love to try the confetti block, along with the other techniques in the book. I'm fairly new to quilting and I'd like to move out of my comfort zone of straight lines all the time.

Making a quilt outside the box is a bit out of my comfort zone but I do love looking at different ideas. I really enjoyed looking at Gwen Marston's Liberated Quilting book and this looks along the same lines. It sounds like a fun book and I would love a chance to win the book.Regards from Western Canada,Anna Marie

Anna...can I tell you how much I love reading your blog! You are amazing. I am just 59, ..just, and maybe old enough to be your mom, but you are an inspiration! Waiting to hear about the perie cotton packs and the book looks greAt, too. Love books. Cheryl

After many years of sewing clothes, and disdaining quilts, I have all of a sudden become obsessed with them. I read about this book last week and was going to go out and buy myself a copy. Will hold off in case I am the lucky winner. But will certainly buy it if I do not.

This sounds like a spectacular book! I'm a new quilter.. only one almost done, but tons in my brain. You, Anna Maria were the first to inspire me to try my hand at the craft and now I'm in love with the whole shebang! Thank you for letting us into your minds eye when we read this blog, you truly are a special woman.mamaisaac09(at)gmail(dot)com

You and Denyse are so rigth - the best part is about doing something with your own hands and then having it as a reminder of a certain period of your life. So beautiful! Thanks for the chance to share in the fun!

One of my favorite quotes is by Geri Weitzman: sometimes you gotta creat what you want to be a part of.

That's what I did last summer. I wanted to be a part of a quilting bee, so I started my own, Bee Vintage, on flickr. A year later, I'm flying across the country to visit one of my bee friends! (See you Tuesday, Linda!)

What a unique process and concept. I can imagine being part of such a lovely group project. Thank you for the exposure to this book and project, for sharing your experience and project, and for the giveaway opportunity.

so enjoyed reading your review and your river rock voile is just the most wonderful colour. i have a little which i am mixing in with some boyish liberty lawn to make a quilt for my little boy. allie fivejeppesens@gmail.com

Giving ourselves freedom once in a while is crucial. Whether time constraints, design constraints or simple left-brain constraints, we usually forget to let go and let "It" happen. I'm so happy you got time to play like this.

Read your interview with sew4home and really enjoyed it.This is one book that would like to win and use to make some quilts - a mini block party with my mother to make the one that looks like a log cabin. Please enter me into the drawing. Thanks for the stop on the blog tour.

this makes me wish i had 11 other women (or men) around me who love to quilt. I would love a copy of this book. Maybe it will inspire me to teach others the basics of this art I love. Thanks for sharing!

A while back, a bunch of us from a quilt guild took a color and design for quilting class from a local instructor. We decided to reward her with a quilt of "crazy" pieced apple blocks, a block made by each of us. The effect was gorgeous with red, green and yellow apples and she was so thrilled!

I have this book on my wish list but the bills have to come first.... I go to the bookstore occasionally and fondle it, but always put it back. It's a luxury. BTW I can't get enough of the Summer Totem Tart fabric. It's really beautiful and my friend gave me a yard of it as a happy day present!

Hey, way to improvise! Yes, Yes, Yes, I really want a copy of this book! (please) It's tough to bust out of accurate piecing, points that don't disappear and seams that match, but I'm willing to through caution to the wind and try.

Would love to win this book for my wonderful sister Debra!! She is a big time fan of all of your fabrics, just like me! She is my inspiration and motivator! Even though we do not live near each other we sometimes work on the same quilt patterns!

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